Knife recommendation.

neetones

neetones

Joined
Apr 30, 2001
Messages
701
Hello everyone. I've started to do a great deal of camping/backpacking recently, and I'm looking at updating my collection to include some really nice specimens that would serve me well where I need them.
Primarily, I'm looking for a small fixed blade knife that would function as a "camp" knife. Instead of leaving that as vague as can be, let me try to explain my needs. I need something that makes an excellent whittler, something that I can use to nimbly and carefully carve things like figure-4 traps, etc... Also, it should stand up to some minimal food prep (cutting some greens/maybe skinning small game.) So i'm looking at something in the 3-4" range, something really controllable with a functional point design/edge geometry. Also, I would like some recommendations on steel...I've really gotten close to VG-10 since I obtained a Spyderco Moran, so maybe that will work...but any other suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
Also, I would like something that comes with a good, functional sheath. No cordura, and preferably not leather either...kydex/concealex works for me. I could always go to Normark though, so it depends on the prices. I'm looking to spend less than $100...the less the better, but I'm looking for long-term quality, so that's flexible.

Here are some thoughts:

Benchmade 100 R&R (comments on the point shape/ steel? (GIN-1)
Fallkniven F1/A1/S1/WM1 (probably of the three, the F1)
Busse Basic #3 (i dont think i can justify the price)
BK&T Campanion (seems a bit big, and i'm tired of coated blades, although the fact that it can chop is a nice touch)

Please write back with any comments/suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

Nitin
 
Hi, i would recomend sog,busse are newtlivesay. all of thease knives are very sharp out of the box and are heat treated very well. i am sure you will find what you are looking for.i own a sog seal 2000 and it has performed very well on the camping and backpacking trips i have taken it on.
 
I am not quite sure what your question is. The Moran, which you indicate you have, seems to fit all of those needs. Particularly the drop point. It has an awesome sheath as well.

What is the Moran lacking that is making you want another similar knife? Or do you just want another knife?

Don't take this post wrong, I was just curious what you are looking for that is different than the Moran.
 
The Moran I have is the original version with the recurvedish blade...if I did have the drop point, i don't think i'd be looking much longer. And I figure, if i'm going to buy another knife (which is always something i'm looking to do) I'd rather not just buy another Moran with a drop point. Otherwise, the knife is almost perfect.

Nitin
 
Hello.
For general outdoors utility, don´t overlook scandinavian knives.
For woodworking the puukkos with no secondary edgebevel are hard to beat. Sharp enough to shave the bikiniline of a mosquito.
Look at Kellam for a nice selection. Most of scandinavian knives come with a leather sheath but often there is a built in reinforcement that makes them work almost like kydex and they are most beautiful.
You cant go wrong with these..

Martin
 
I second the recommdation re: Dozier Knives. You really can't go wrong. Superb quality and at prices that are not nearly as high as you might expect.
 
Browning has two drop-point fixed-blades that you should look at. They use aus8 steel. The sheaths are cordura with a plastic insert. I have an earlier Browning of similar design and both the knife and the sheath are of high quality and work very well.
Also, Gerber has recently come out with a few new fixed blades that look interesting. IIRC, they're called Fixed Gator Knives, one a drop-point and one a clip-point, models XDP and XCP respectively. The steel is, I think, 440c, a departure from Gerber's usual 440a in knives of this sort.
I have a Campanion and it's not really the right knife for the use you describe. It's too massive.
 
Check out the line-up from Marbles Knives. It sounds like they might have something that would be perfect for you. None of the tasks you've described is likely to push a blade to the absolute limits of durability, so you may enjoy the improved cutting efficiency of the Marbles' flat grind over say a heavy saber grind as is found on the Fallkniven offerings. Drop point blades dominate their catalog, and the smaller Marbles feature 52100 steel which is an excellent choice in this category. As a bonus, you'll be able to secure a new one for well under your $100 ceiling.

Based on your stated requirements, the sheath is perhaps the only area in which you'll find a Marbles lacking. But you could likely get the blade and a custom made sheath, and still be right around your spending limit.
 
Camillus Talon in 154CM would be at the top of your price range ($99.99). The Talon is a Rob Simonich design and is very popular.
http://onestopknifeshop.com/store/camillus-talon-info.html

The Fallkniven would be a great choice. VG-10 is a great steel and complaints about Fallkniven are rare. Plus, you can choose your sheath.

Newt Livesay has some has some good knives. The US Marshal has a 4" blade (1095), kydex, micarta for $100. Also, if you could live with a 5" blade, their ICU is on sale for $85. There is a picture of the ICU on this page (it is the bottom knife). http://members.tripod.com/~Newt_Livesay/CK.html
And a picture of the Marshal is here: http://members.tripod.com/~Newt_Livesay/U-S-Marshal.html

Dozier makes good knives; however, they are out of your $100 limit. If you could scrape together another $50, it would be well worth it.
 
You mentioned the BK&T Campanion as a knife that you had been looking at. I for one would give it a good recommendation. For the price it’s hard (almost impossible) to beat. As for your complaints/concerns, admittedly it is a substantial knife in the hand, but I would suggest that if you can find on in person to give one a feel and see what you think. And the coating is because it’s high carbon (quality) steel that would have trouble with rusting otherwise, but will keep an edge for a long time.
 
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